UNCW vs. Milligan

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC with Milligan University in Milligan, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Milligan based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 1,240 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Milligan University is in Milligan, TN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milligan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1; Milligan University 10:1.

UNCW vs. Milligan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW or Milligan? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina Wilmington than Milligan ($18,976 vs. $21,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milligan University are 37.6% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($8,900 vs. $14,268).
• Milligan University is 455.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $33,173 more per year; $40,450.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.5% higher at Milligan than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $16,298 more per year; $40,450.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milligan University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milligan University students is 367.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($31,220 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Milligan Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW or Milligan? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Milligan and UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 90 points higher than at Milligan (1200).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Milligan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340; Milligan University 1133/1268.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Milligan University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Milligan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027; Milligan Aug 28, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Milligan students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Milligan has a higher acceptance rate (72.3%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 27.6% at Milligan.

UNCW vs. Milligan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW and Milligan? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate is 67%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Milligan.
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington have median earnings of about $44,700 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Milligan.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Milligan graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milligan graduates ($211 vs. $263).
• More Milligan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.